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B y Walt Kelley, PREMAC Chair and Emergency Administration Manager for the City of Amarillo. “People were taken aback to see the equipment displays, such as the bomb squad, heavy rescue unit, and men’s mobile shower unit.” The praise also was echoed from Panhandle Regional Planning Commission A PUBLICATION OF THE PANHANDLE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION Trails Trails SPRING 2009 (Continued on page 6) PRPC 2009 Board Officers Jay Mayden, Chair, Judge, Childress County; Zelda Lang, Vice Chair, Councilwoman, City of Dalhart; Wayne Nance, Secretary/Treasurer, Judge, Brisco County. participants like Tommy Brooks, Emergency Management Coordinator in Moore County, who is a member of the PREMAC. “There was a variety of sessions, and the speakers were excellent. The conference was well thought out and well planned. B y all accounts, the recent Panhandle Regional Preparedness Conference was an overwhelming success. Unsure of the number of participants to expect at this first of its kind event, the Panhandle Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee (PREMAC) planned for several hundred, but were pleasantly surprised when more than 450 attended. The day-long event included a presen- tation from Steve McCraw, Director, Texas Office of Homeland Security on “The Texas ‘State’ of Emergency Management,” numerous emergency response equip- ment displays, an overview by state representatives on the state’s expecta- tions of regional preparedness planning, a keynote address entitled “The Lessons of Katrina and Rita,” and five workshop sessions on a variety of topics. “All the workshops were full,” said
Transcript
Page 1: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

By Walt Kelley, PREMAC Chair and Emergency

Administration Manager for the City of

Amarillo. “People were taken aback to

see the equipment displays, such as the

bomb squad, heavy rescue unit, and

men’s mobile shower unit.”

The praise also was echoed from

Panhandle Regional Planning Commission

Panhandle Regional Planning Commission

Panhandle Regional Planning Commission

A PUBL ICATION OF THE PANHANDLE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISS ION

TrailsTrailsSPRING 2009

(Continued on page 6)

PRPC 2009 Board OfficersJay Mayden, Chair, Judge,

Childress County; Zelda Lang,Vice Chair, Councilwoman,

City of Dalhart; Wayne Nance,Secretary/Treasurer, Judge,

Brisco County.

participants like Tommy Brooks, Emergency

Management Coordinator in Moore

County, who is a member of the PREMAC.

“There was a variety of sessions, and the

speakers were excellent. The conference

was well thought out and well planned.

By all accounts, the recent

Panhandle Regional Preparedness Con ference

was an overwhelming success. Unsure of

the number of participants to expect at

this first of its kind event, the Panhandle

Regional Emergency Management

Advisory Committee (PREMAC) planned

for several hundred, but were pleasantly

surprised when more than 450 attended.

The day-long event included a presen-

tation from Steve McCraw, Director, Texas

Office of Homeland Security on “The

Texas ‘State’ of Emergency Management,”

numerous emergency response equip-

ment displays, an overview by state

representatives on the state’s expecta-

tions of regional preparedness planning,

a keynote address entitled “The Lessons

of Katrina and Rita,” and five workshop

sessions on a variety of topics.

“All the workshops were full,” said

Page 2: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

seven, and Kaleb, two. In addition towork and family, he has also found timeto earn a master’s degree in criminaljustice from West Texas A&M University.“I love all parts of my job, especially

the administrative and financial areas,”he said. “I try to use every inch of apenny.” Jay describes Childress as “thetown that never gives up.” He points out that Childress, with its population of 8,000, is one of the few West Texascounties that experienced growth in thelast census. Jay is a very strong advocate for the

Planning Commission. “ThroughoutTexas, the PRPC has an excellent reputa-tion. People, even from larger COGs likeHouston or Galveston, ask me whatmakes the PRPC so great. I explain thatthey put their members first and them-selves last. The PRPC staff doesn’t try totake over for their members. Instead,

V I E W P O I N TV I E W P O I N T“…don’t fix what’s not broken.”

they guide us and help us. The PRPC isone of the few COGs with 100 percentparticipation. What they charge formembership isn’t much, but the workthey do is unbelievable.”As far as his plans for his year as Board

Chair, he says, “don’t fix what’s not broken.”Jay sees his role as helping the PRPC keepheading in the right direction. “ThePanhandle will always be a rich oil and gasregion. One of the areas the PRPC Boardis focusing on under my watch is windgeneration, which could become animportant future initiative for our counties.”Jay is quick to encourage others to

participate in public service. “You don’thave to become an elected official toserve your community,” he explained.“Just take time out of your day to helpsomeone. Be a candy striper, or delivermeals on wheels. It’s about contributingand stepping up for your community.” �

Jay Mayden is no stranger to thePRPC. Before being elected as its newBoard Chair, he served on the WorkforceDevelopment Board, the EmergencyManagement Board, and four years as aPlanning Commission Board member. Inaddition to this regional responsibility, healso serves as a Board member on theTexas Association of Regional Councils. Though born in Memphis, Texas, he

grew up in Childress, where he went toschool and played football. “In Childress,playing football is what you do,” hesaid. Following high school graduation,he joined the police academy, fulfilling achildhood interest in law enforcement.He served as a police officer first inAmarillo, and later in Lipscomb and GrayCounties. In 1998, Jay was named theAssistant Police Chief in Childress, a position he held for five years. In 2002, Jay ran for County Judge,

a position many friends and residentsencouraged him to seek. He was elected,and after seven years serving as the judgein a town he loves, he is glad he tooktheir advice. “Leaving law enforcementwas a lifestyle choice,” he explained.When he and wife Sharalyn, an elemen-tary school teacher, married and startedtheir family, Jay felt serving in countygovernment would be safer and easieron his family. Married for ten years, Jayand Sharalyn spend as much time aspossible with their two sons – Trenton,

Meet the Board ChairMeet the Board Chair

Jay Mayden, PRPC Board Chair, Judge, Childress County.

2

Contract Procurement Center hosts HUB EXPO

Dozens of men and women attended the recent HUB EXPO held at the

Amarillo Civic Center, hosted by the PRPC’s Contract Procurement Center (CPC).

The CPC provides counseling to businesses interested in obtaining and perform-

ing on government contracts. Historically Underutilized Businesses or HUBs,

especially in rural settings, often find networking opportunities and marketing

resources difficult to access. The two-day workshops were designed to inform

business owners about various resources available to minority- and women-

owned businesses, as well as ways to market their goods and services to state

agencies and universities.

Information about HUB certification was available to those who attended.

HUB certification is a low-cost way to expand marketing and networking capa-

bilities to a statewide level. HUB certification is free and includes placement in

the HUB Directory, which helps rural HUBs extend their reach to local and

regional state agencies and universities. These agencies are required to use HUB

vendors when possible, and use the HUB Directory to help locate these vendors.

Break-out sessions provided information on such topics as technology,

winning proposals, doing business with state agencies, and how to register for

centralized master bidders lists. For more information about the CPC, contact

Edmond Esparza at [email protected].�

Page 3: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

Trails Newsletteris published quarterly. To provide comments, make address changes or request additional

copies, write or call the PRPC office, 806-372-3381.

www.theprpc.org

Gary Pitner, Executive Director

Rebecca Rusk, Newsletter Coordinator

N E W S & N O T E SN E W S & N O T E SWinston Stahlecker earns Mediator of the Year award.

PRPC staff members earn service awards

Six PRPC employees were recognizedwith Service Awards at the PRPC AnnualMeeting last fall. Fifteen-year recipientsinclude Heike Bowen, Accounts PayableAdministrative Assistant; Pam Coffey,Director of the Dispute Resolution Center,and Janet Schulte, Area Agency on AgingCare Coordinator. Both Edmond Esparza,Contract Procurement Center Coordinator,and Julie Lyles, Accountant II, wererecognized for ten years of service.Teana Waller, Area Agency on AgingCaregiver Specialist, earned a five-yearservice award. �

New employee joins PRPC

Chuck Rivas has joined the PlanningCommission as Economic DevelopmentProgram Specialist. A 2003 Amarillo HighSchool graduate, Rivas earned a Bachelorof Arts in Business & Communicationfrom Southwestern University. �

Stahlecker named Mediator of the Year

A mediator for the Dispute ResolutionCenter (DRC) since 2003, WinstonStahlecker was named the 2008Mediator of the Year. Winston haslogged hundreds of hours in volunteerservice since he started mediating. Hebrings significant management andmarketing strengths to his mediationefforts, having led the Management andMarketing Department at West TexasA&M University. He also held professor-

ships at St. Cloud State University inMinnesota, the University of Texas of thePermian Basisn, and Cal Poly State Univer -sity in San Louis Obispo, CA. Winston heldmarketing leadership positions in Texas,New Mexico, and Oklahoma for a fast-food firm. Winston holds an undergrad-uate degree from the University of SouthDakota, a master’s degree from theUniversity of Northern Colorado, and adoctorate from Arizona State University. �

Two public servants honored

Two special presentations, givenannually by the Planning Commission,were made to public servants at thePRPC Annual Meeting. Greg Duggan,Dalhart City Manager, received theGoodwin Regional Public AdministratorAward. This award recognizes an individ-

ual who has made a significant contribu-tion to the region as a public servant.Janie Singleton, executive director ofthe High Plains Food Bank in Amarillo,received the Regional Service Award.This award is intended to publicly recog-nize and thank an individual for effortswhich have contributed to the advance-ment, growth, and development of the26-county Texas Panhandle region. TheHigh Plains Food Bank distributes foodthroughout the region. �

Board Member recognized

Charlie Rivas, Jr. was recognized forhis service on the PRPC Board. He served17 years as Minority Citizens Representativefrom Amarillo. Rivas, who owns RivasEnvironmental Consultants, Inc., hasserved the region through his participa-tion with the PRPC in many roles, includ-ing numerous committees and advisoryboards. He served as the PRPC BoardChair in 2006. �

Our sincere apologies

The PRPC staff wants to sincerely apologize for the inconveniences ourbuilding renovation and computer andtelecom systems upgrading may havecaused you in the past few months. Attimes our phones were down, and wealso experienced email disruptions.Sometimes our desks were in the hall.We have survived these difficulties, andhave worked hard to continue servingyou, our clients, with excellence. Thanks for your understanding. �

Chuck Rivas Janie Singleton Charlie RivasGreg Duggan

3

Winston Stahlecker

Page 4: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

4

The Panhandle Regional 9-1-1Network and the Regional ServicesPANCOM project are workingtogether to further improve andenhance emergency communica-tions in the Panhandle region. InFebruary, commissioners of theCommission on State EmergencyCommunications (CSEC) authorizedthe allocation of $505,713 in 9-1-1funds to the PRPC for the expan-sion of PANCOM IP bandwidthcapacity.

“The increased bandwidth will beused to test the microwave systems’capacity to deliver 9-1-1 calls in theevent traditional circuits are lostdue to weather, fiber cuts, or otherevents,” explained Greg Green,ENP, Program Director of the

State commission authorizes funds to expand IP bandwidth

Panhandle Regional 9-1-1 Network. “Theadditional bandwidthwill also be used toprovide 9-1-1 anotherway to communicatebetween PRPC and thecall centers. This includes updating map information more frequently.”

Alternatively, planning isunderway to allow PANCOM radiotraffic to travel on the 9-1-1 MPLSnetwork in the event a tower,repeater, or other infrastructure istemporarily unavailable. “The ideais that each network will operateindependently, yet have thecapacity to support the other in theevent of an outage,” said Green.“This type of coordination is going

R E G I O N A L 9 - 1 - 1 N E T W O R KR E G I O N A L 9 - 1 - 1 N E T W O R K“…increased bandwidth will test capacity to deliver 9-1-1 calls…”

to be a challenge. There are manylocal, state and federal stakeholderswhose operational requirements,funding rules, and agency policiesmust be considered and satisfied. Byworking together, planning care-fully, and sharing resources, PRPCstaff hopes to provide the regions’public safety community with themost reliable, robust, communica-tions network possible.” �

Page 5: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

5

Is it public or private? In terms of ourrural road network, the question has notalways been easily answered. In 2003the 78th Texas Legislature enacted whatwas to become Chapter 258 of the TexasTransportation Code – Clarification ofExistence of Public Interest in Roads byAdoption of County Road Map. Thepurpose of this chapter was to providecounties with a tool by which they mayresolve longstanding and sometimescontroversial questions regarding countyroads. PRPC’s 9-1-1 Department,equipped with state of the art mappingsystems, was at the forefront, ready toassist local governments with this impor-tant endeavor.“Our existing rural road system has

evolved over the years from manydiverse origins,” said Greg Green, ENP,Program Director of the PanhandleRegional 9-1-1 Network. “Originally, alandowner would dedicate an easementfor public use to the county and thecommissioner’s court would accept dedi-cation. This transaction would be

recorded in the minutes of the meeting,as well as documented in other officialcounty records.“However, through a variety of means

compounded by years of practice, thestatus of many roads became fuzzy, atbest. For example, a landowner with anestablished caliche or gravel pit mighthave had a “gentleman’s agreement”with the precinct commissioner toprovide free road materials in exchangefor the establishment or maintenance ofcertain roads. It is likely both thelandowner and the county benefitedfrom such an arrangement. While theintentions were honorable, the terms ofsuch agreements, when not properlydocumented, usually create issues withina couple of generations or electioncycles. Further, a misconception held bymany that roads utilized by a school busor mail delivery vehicle were automati-cally public roads, contributed to theuncertain status of many roads.”As land ownership changes, there is

increasing attention being given to

R E G I O N A L 9 - 1 - 1 N E T W O R KR E G I O N A L 9 - 1 - 1 N E T W O R K“…counties saved an average of $12,000…”

certain rights, titles, and easements thatcome with property. Frequently, countieswere finding that they were unable toprovide sufficient documentation tosubstantiate a public interest in certainroads. This resulted in fences and gatesbeing installed in places that had, foryears, been considered public easements,which further resulted in expensive litiga-tion for all parties.To address this problem, State leaders

created Chapter 258 of the TransportationCode. Through a series of public notices,meetings and the presentation of a mapindicating which roads were consideredpublic, counties had the opportunity toreconcile the expectations of landowners,concerned citizens and elected officials.PRPC assisted this effort by providing

administrative, consultative, and carto-graphic assistance to 21 eligiblePanhandle counties. By utilizing theexisting geographic information system(GIS) and map data developed by the 9-1-1 rural addressing project, PRPC wasable to assist counties with the execu-tion of Chapter 258 at a considerablesavings versus private sector alternatives.In fact, counties each saved an averageof $12,000 off of prices quoted byseveral law firms. As a region, thismeans that more than a quarter of amillion dollars could be utilized in otherways to support our communities withcontinued or improved services.Chapter 258 expires on August 31,

2009. All eligible Panhandle countieswill have adopted an official countyroad map. Now, with a clear picture ofwhat is and what isn’t a county road,counties have not only establishedwhich roads are open to public traveland which the county has a right toexpend public funds upon, they havesuccessfully avoided the expensive legalprocesses of determining public interestin a road.�

PRPC closes chapter on rural addressing project

Transportation Code 258 expires in August

Page 6: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

Our

create a forum where they could

personally meet one another, and

become more informed about the

emergency preparedness plans being

developed for our region.”

Networking with men and women

from other communities was a valuable

Q U A R T E R L Y F E A T U R EQ U A R T E R L Y F E A T U R E“…with a little more preparation, we can gain the ‘fighting edge’…”

6

region is not like South

Texas. This training was geared specifically

to our region. At least seven firefighters

and Emergency Management Services

representatives from Dumas attended.”

As to why the PREMAC decided to

hold the conference, Vernon Cook,

Roberts County Judge and PREMAC

member, said it provided a method to

showcase the work that PREMAC has

been doing for the last several years.

“We have accumulated some impres-

sive, high-tech detection equipment,

hazmat facilities, and bomb disposal

equipment. The turnout and reception

to this event far exceeded our expecta-

tions. We’re already planning next

year’s conference.”

According to John Kiehl, PRPC

Regional Services Director, the PREMAC

Training Sub-Committee was the

guiding force behind development of

the conference. “We wanted to hold

an event that would help get our first

responders on the same page, and

aspect of the conference. “It was good

to be able to meet our neighbors,” said

Brooks. “When the next disaster occurs,

emergency responders will benefit from

being more familiar with those from

other areas and other disciplines as we

pull together in a cohesive response.”

(Continued from page 1)

Preparedness Conference Goal: Get first re sponders together and informedPreparedness Conference Goal: Get first re sponders together and informed

Page 7: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

7

Q U A R T E R L Y F E A T U R EQ U A R T E R L Y F E A T U R E“…with a little more preparation, we can gain the ‘fighting edge’…”

Vernon Cook,Roberts CountyJudge, PREMAC

member.

Amarillo Fire Chief Steve Ross, 2008

PREMAC Training Sub-Committee Chair,

reminded conference attendees of the

2006 wild fire that burned over a million

acres of land. “We learned very quickly

the value of working together in an

organized front with a widespread

Preparedness Conference Goal: Get first re sponders together and informedPreparedness Conference Goal: Get first re sponders together and informeddisaster event. In retrospect, we did

a pretty good job with that effort.

“But with a little more pre-

planning and preparation,” said Ross,

“we’ll be able to gain the ‘fighting

edge’ that will make us more effec-

tive when we meet together on the

next regional disaster.”

“The term ‘regionalism’ is getting

lots of emphasis throughout the

state as a new emergency prepared-

ness planning concept to embrace,”

said Cook. “Our PREMAC members

just sort of laughed. Regionalism is

second nature to us in the Panhandle.

It’s just neighbors helping neighbors.

That’s what this conference was

all about.” �

Thanks to our sponsors!Xcel Energy

Happy State Bank & TrustBell Helicopter

Potter-Randall County 9-1-1 DistrictGreat Plains Ag Credit

Texas Association of DairymenAmarillo College

Texas Cattle Feeder’s AssociationValero Energy CorporationWest Texas A&M University

Panhandle Regional 9-1-1 NetworkHerring Bank

Texas Pork Producers Association

Dr. Peter Pendergrass,

Regional MedicalDirector, HSR1,

Texas DSHS.

Steve McCraw,Director,

Governor’sOffice of

HomelandSecurity.

Don Powell,former

coordinator of Gulf Coast

Rebuilding.

Dr. Bob Hillman,Executive

Director, TexasAnimal Health

Commission.

David Solis,Region 5B,

Regional Liaison Officer,Department of

Public Safety.

Page 8: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

8

W O R K F O R C E D E V E L O P M E N TW O R K F O R C E D E V E L O P M E N T“All 40 trainees successfully completed the course…”

Affiliated Foods Inc. in Amarillo receivedan Employer Award of Excellence at therecent Texas Workforce Commission’s12th Annual Texas Workforce Conferencein San Antonio. The award honorsemployers that are actively involved withone of the state’s 28 local workforcedevelopment boards and have made apositive impact on their community.Affiliated Foods, one of the state’s

largest food distributors, teamed up withthe Panhandle Workforce DevelopmentBoard and Amarillo College to address acritical need for commercial truck drivers.The college developed and conducted twoweeks of classroom instruction for the 40indivi duals selected for the project. Students

Employer commended for workforce initiativeEmployer commended for workforce initiative

Panhandle Board earns Top Performance Award for 3rd year

were then paired by the company withveteran drivers for three months of “behindthe wheel” experience. All 40 trainees success - fully completed the course, received commer -

cial licenses and went to work as drivers. “This was a very quick and cost effec-

tive way to prepare a substantial numberof individuals for new careers,” said TomDressler, PRPC Workforce DevelopmentDirector. “The project was fundedthrough a $44,163 grant. We aregrateful to both Affiliated Foods andAmarillo College for working with us.”“Strong alliances between private

employers and local workforce boardsare crucial to addressing the economicissues we are facing in Texas,” said TWCChairman Tom Pauken. “I commendAffiliated Foods and the PanhandleWorkforce Development Board for their partnership.” �

For the third consecutive year, the Panhandle WorkforceDevelopment Board received a Top Performance Award at theTexas Workforce Commission’s 12th Annual Texas WorkforceConference. The group beat out 15 other comparably-fundedlocal workforce development boards for the honor, and received

$75,000 in additional funds for use with local programs.Selection was based on client job placement and retention rates,among other factors. The Board serves employers and workersthrough a network of eight Workforce Solutions officeslocated throughout the region. Services are provided at no cost.

Page 9: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

Region benefits from Safe Room Rebate Program

9

With designs that range from theabove ground shelter in a Groomresident’s garage to a custom-designed safe room that resembles abeautiful office in a Conway couple’snew home, more than 1,400 tornadoshelters have been installed through-out the Panhandle region. These saferooms are part of a regional FederalEmer gency Manage ment Agency(FEMA) mitigation grant called theSafe Room Rebate Program, created toreduce loss of lives and property fromfuture severe storms and high winds.

Coordinating this program for thePanhandle, the PRPC staff adminis-tered the funds from the Governor’sDivision of Emergency Management.“This rebate program, which beganaccepting applications in August of2006,” said Elizabeth True, RegionalServices Program Specialist, “receivedsignificant interest from citizensthroughout our region. We receivedapplications from individuals whowere senior citizens as well as young,first-time home buyers. Some peoplewere new to the Panhandle and want -ed a safe room to give them someadded protection and peace of mind.”

Dumas native Bill Vinson, who isretired, owns 14 rental homes in thecity limits. “I wanted to put shelters in

my homes to help keep my renterssafer,” he said. “I think you should tryto save every life you can. At first I added shelters to my two mobilehomes plus my own home. Then Iapplied for shelters for all my housesand was accepted.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to coor-dinate the application/installationprocess for all my homes if it had notbeen for Elizabeth at PRPC,” he said.“She helped me through the process,sent my applications, and coordinatedgetting the approvals back to me so Icould contact the manufacturer.”

Vinson said fortunately he has nothad to ‘test’ his shelters sinceinstalling them last year. He knowsthey were tested by the manufacturerto withstand up to 500-mile-per-hourwinds. Since each shelter can holdabout 10 people, Vinson said if astorm should occur, his 15 shelterswould be capable of protecting up to

E M E R G E N C Y P R E P A R E D N E S SE M E R G E N C Y P R E P A R E D N E S S“…they were tested to withstand 500 mph winds.”

Region benefits from Safe Room Rebate Program

150 people. This rebate program was a 50:50

matching program that providedhome owners, developers, andbuilders a rebate of up to $2,500 tooffset the cost of installing a certifiedsafe room/storm shelter. Total dollarsspent in rebates and resident coststotaled $7,726,648. All told, the PRPCreceived nearly $3.5 million fromFEMA to sup port the Regional SafeRoom Program.

True explained that in order to giveresidents equitable access to theprogram, the PRPC established acounty-by-county allocation schedulewhereby rebates were made availablewithin the 26-county area based onpopulation. “While more than half ofthe safe rooms were installed in thePotter/Randall counties, where thepopulation is significantly larger,shelters were also installed in all 26 of our counties.” �

Elizabeth True, right,PRPC Regional Services

Program Specialist,with safe room owner

Leon Tanck of Vega.

Page 10: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

from Borger woodchipper crews. “It took weeks to accomplish thecleanup. The County brought theirdump trucks and crews, and wesupplied the fuel. Borger helped uschip the tree limbs.” (See related story on opposite page. )Nearly one year later, the streets

have been repaired, the parks, play-grounds and golf courses restored,and the debris removed. Helping topay for this cleanup effort in Childresswas an Office of Rural CommunityAffairs (ORCA) grant of $350,000. PRPC Local Government Services

and Regional Services staff membersassisted personnel from both theCounty and City of Childress to applyfor the grant. In December the grantwas awarded and contracts signed. In January, PRPC staff attendedCommissioner Court and City Council

Childress residents like AnnHusband, the City Treasurer, will soonforget the storm – officially called awet macroburst - that moved acrosstheir community last June, bearing 80-mile-per-hour winds, heavy rain,and large hail. Most homes inChildress had their east-facingwindows destroyed by the hail. Theaftermath of the storm left significantdestruction, from street damage, todowned trees, to demolished struc-tures, to huge amounts of debrislittering the city.“Our whole town was destroyed,”

remembers Husband. “There wasdebris everywhere. Our communitywas in dire need of cleanup helpimmediately.” Husband applauded the cooperative spirit betweenChildress County and the City ofChildress, as well as nearby assistance

L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T S E R V I C E SL O C A L G O V E R N M E N T S E R V I C E S“…the PRPC is drawing down funds to reimburse providers for their cleanup effort.”

Images of the Severe "Macroburst" that hit Childress. A macroburst isa large downburst with an outflow diameter of 2.5 miles or larger anddamaging winds. The Images show a descending core of heavy rainand hail from the thunderstorm. The strong outflow winds are alsogenerating blowing dust visible in the first image. Images courtesyBrian James, KVII-TV Amarillo.

Childress received ORCA grant —

Reimbursement for cleanup underway

10

Page 11: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

Nearly one year ago what was offi-cially called a “wet macroburst” withhigh winds and heavy rain descendedon Childress, leaving behind consider-able damage and huge piles of debris.Though a costly favor, ChildressCounty personnel offered to assist theCity of Childress residents in removingthe debris and making street improve-ments so that families could return toa life of normalcy.Nine of the county’s staff spent a

total of 312 man hours over a periodof several weeks removing and dispos-ing of the tons of tree limbs and trashscattered throughout the community. -These workers were well equipped, usingthree front loaders, three small dump

trucks, and two large dump trucks. Thanks to the efforts of PRPC

staff members, the County ofChildress has been reimbursed

meetings to officially acknowledge thecontracts. Now serving as the grantadministrative agency, the PRPC staffis drawing down the funds to reim-burse providers for their massivecleanup and repair effort.The PRPC helped Childress develop

a Notice of Interest for an additional$70,000 grant from the FederalEmergency Management Agency.“This Hazard Mitigation GrantProgram (HMGP) funding, if awarded,will be used to purchase and planttrees, as well as purchase outdoorpublic warning sirens,” said JohnKiehl, Regional Services Director. “The additional sirens will help tobetter alert residents the next time a macroburst or a tornado headstoward Childress. �

L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T S E R V I C E SL O C A L G O V E R N M E N T S E R V I C E S“…the PRPC is drawing down funds to reimburse providers for their cleanup effort.”

Childress received ORCA grant —

Reimbursement for cleanup underway

11

for their neighborly assistance with a Disaster Relief Grant awarded by the Office of Rural Community Affairs(ORCA). “The County of Childressjumped in to assist their fellowChildress neighbors, not knowing ifthey would be paid for their efforts,”said Scott Caldwell, Local GovernmentProgram Specialist. “The PRPC servedas administrative agency for the$64,509 in ORCA funding to repaythe County.” �

Act of kindness by Childress Countyrepaid with ORCA grant

Page 12: Trails - PRPC Newsletter

TrailsTrailsSPRING 2009

Panhandle Regional Planning CommissionP.O. Box 9257415 S.W. 8th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79105806-372-3381

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDAMARILLO, TXPERMIT NO. 657

Panhandle Regional Planning Commission

Proclamation of March As Fair Housing Month09-01-22-01

WHEREAS, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended, prohibits discrimination in housing and declares it a national policy to provide, within constitutional limits, fair housing in the United States; and

WHEREAS, while the principles of Fair Housing are a matter of national policy and law, Fair Housing is also a basic human concept that provides fairness in equal housing opportunity to citizens of the United States; and,

WHEREAS, recognizing March as Fair Housing Month provides an opportunity for citizens to be aware that achieving success in equal housing opportunity is accomplished with the help and cooperation of all citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE HEREBY PROCLAIM the month of March, 2009, as Fair Housing Month in the Panhandle region of the State of Texas and do hereby urge all the citizens of this region to become aware of and support Fair Housing.

Adopted this 22th day of January, 2009, by the Board of Directors of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, meeting in regular session with a quorum present.

_______________________________Jay Mayden, ChairmanPanhandle Regional Planning CommissionBoard of Directors

ATTEST:

__________________________________________Wayne Nance , Secretary/TreasurerPanhandle Regional Planning CommissionBoard of Directors

P R O C L A M A T I O NP R O C L A M A T I O NMarch celebrated as Fair Housing Month in the Panhandle.

Jay Mayden

Wayne Nance


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